Article of clothing

ABSTRACT

An article of clothing that includes a snugly fitting inner portion having at least one connecting band extending along at least one limb (such as an arm, leg) of the body of the wearer, a more loosely fitting outer portion covering the inner portion, the inner and outer portions being assembled to one another by the connecting band extending along at least one limb.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No.03.04440, filed Apr. 10, 2003, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference thereto in its entirety and the priority ofwhich is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an article of clothing having atleast one extensible portion.

[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0005] Garments of the above-mentioned type are known to be used forsporting activities, particularly garments such as shorts orthigh-pieces, or pants, or tops covering the torso.

[0006] Indeed, the elastic materials used in such garments allow for agood support for the wearer's muscles during sports activity. Dependingon the type of material used, they also facilitate proprioceptivesensing that can be useful for the particular sports activity, and theycan also guarantee a certain degree of warmth for the muscles.

[0007] However, because they are made of elastic materials, thesegarments fit snugly and can provide an undesirable visual appearance,particularly if the wearer has an unflattering physical appearance suchas being overweight, for example, or if the wearer simply does notdesire a snugly fitted appearance.

[0008] Moreover, it is difficult to wear garments of this type forpurposes other than sporting activities.

[0009] To overcome these drawbacks, it is known to superimpose severalgarments, the one made of an elastic material fitting snugly, such as athigh-piece, and another, fitting more loosely, such as shorts.

[0010] This practice is common with certain athletes, such as soccerplayers, rugby players, or runners. It has the drawback of requiring twogarments, and of increasing the risks of wear of the loose garment inthe friction zones, especially in the crotch area in the case of shortsor pants. Furthermore, the outer loose garment can generate unpleasantor undesirable sounds in the friction zones, depending upon thematerial(s) of which it is made, and the superimposition of two layersof materials in certain zones, and especially in the crotch area, cangenerate excessive heating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to overcome theaforementioned drawbacks and to provide an article of clothing thatallows combining a pleasant aesthetic outer appearance and good supportand/or heating of the muscles, and/or a proprioceptive effect.

[0012] These objects are achieved in the article of clothing having atleast one extensible portion according to the invention, whereby thearticle of clothing comprises a snugly fitting inner portion having atleast one connecting band extending along at least one limb (arm, leg,neck) of the body, and of a loosely fitting outer portion covering theinner portion, and whereby the inner portion and the outer portion areassembled together by the connecting band extending along at least onelimb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF IRAWINGS

[0013] The invention will be better understood, and othercharacteristics thereof will become apparent from the followingdescription, as well as with reference to the annexed schematic drawingsshowing several embodiments, by way of non-limiting examples, and inwhich;

[0014]FIG. 1 is a front view of an article of clothing, such as shorts,incorporating the invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II ofFIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a second embodimentof the invention;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a fourth embodimentof the invention;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a fifth embodiment ofthe invention;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a detailed view of FIG. 5;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a detailed view, similar to FIG. 6, according to a sixthembodiment of the invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]FIGS. 1 and 2 show an article of clothing of the shorts typeincorporating the invention.

[0022] These shorts 1 are comprise two portions, namely:

[0023] inner snugly fitting shorts 10 made at least partially of anelastic material such as that known by the registered marks “LYCRA®” or“LYCRA POWER®,” polyamide, or made of a breathable or elastic mesh-typematerial; and

[0024] outer loosely fitting shorts 20 made of a nonelastic material,such as Nylon, or made of a breathable material of the mesh-type.

[0025] The inner shorts 10 have a waist 11 and two legs 12.

[0026] Each leg 12 includes a tubular, or partially cylindrical, portion13, having semi-cylindrical or partially cylindrical shape, the portion13 comprising an elastic material. Each leg 12 also includes aconnecting band 14 covering the crotch area. The connecting band 14 canbe made of an elastic material, or rather of a non-extensible material,

[0027] The outer shorts 20 also have a waist 21 and two substantiallytubular portions each comprising a leg 22.

[0028] As shown clearly in FIG. 2, each leg 22 of the outer shorts isassembled to the associated leg 12 of the inner shorts 10 along theedges 14 a of the connecting band 14 by means of seams 15, such asstitching.

[0029] As a result, the two inner 10 and outer 20 shorts in fact have acommon portion in the form of the connecting band 14 in the crotch area.

[0030] Thus, friction that could otherwise generate noise and wearbetween the two legs of the loosely fitting outer shorts 20 during useis avoided.

[0031] Furthermore, a good aesthetic appearance of the loosely fittingshorts 20 is guaranteed, because the snugly fitting inner shorts 10remain hidden, or mostly hidden, by the outer shorts.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the legs 12 of the inner shorts arenot longer than those of the outer shorts, in order to prevent anyvisual impression of a snug fit.

[0033] However, it is contemplated according to the invention that theycan be slightly shorter so as not to overlap the outer shorts.

[0034] It is noted that the connection of the two shorts to one anotheris particularly important in this context, in order to prevent arelative slip of the legs during the sporting activity and to maintainthe visual appearance of the loosely fitting shorts.

[0035] The inner shorts can also be provided to have longer legs 12 thanthose of the outer shorts if a mixed visual appearance is desired.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, the waists 11, 22 of the shorts 10,20 are separate, and the shorts are therefore only connected to oneanother by the crotch, so as to guarantee a better adaptation to thewearer's movements. As a result, the outer shorts do not hinder themovements of the inner shorts.

[0037] However, as shown in FIG. 1, detachable connectors 30, orconnecting mechanisms, such as buttons or snap fasteners, can beprovided to tie the waists 11 and 21 together and in particular toenable the double shorts 1 to be put on easily.

[0038] As the case may be, the connectors 30 can also be provided to bepermanent. In that case, it will be a seam, etc., such as stitching.

[0039] According to a particular embodiment, the connectors 30 areconstituted by connecting straps, such that the inner shorts 10 somewhathang, or are suspended, within the outer shorts 20. In this case, thestraps are preferably made of an elastic material in order to betterfollow the movements of the wearer.

[0040] The connecting band 14 of the crotch can have a substantiallyrectangular shape, or a triangular shape, for example, depending on thecut of one or both shorts 10, 20.

[0041] The connecting band 14 can be provided in the form of a yoke thatis distinct from the inner shorts 10 as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, or, on thecontrary, it can be an integral part of each leg 12, these legs thenbeing made, for example, by knitting. This is especially the case whenthe connecting band 14 is made of an elastic material.

[0042] In the case where each band 14 is constituted by a distinct yoke,it can be made either of the same material as the associated leg 12, orof a different material, and, in particular, a non-elastic material. Asthe case may be, the material can also be a breathable material of themesh-type or the perforated fabric-type, for a better ventilation.

[0043]FIG. 3 shows pants 101, for which similar or identicalportions/elements are designated by the same reference numerals used inFIGS. 1 and 2 increased by 100.

[0044] In the case of FIG. 3, the pants also have inner pants 110provided with a waist 111 and legs 112, and outer pants 120 providedwith a waist 121 and legs 122.

[0045] As mentioned above, detachable connectors 130 are provided in thecrotch area by a common connecting band 114, which can be made of anelastic material.

[0046]FIG. 4 shows another application of the present invention to anarticle of clothing 201 such as a jacket, a sweater, etc., i.e.,covering the upper portion of the body.

[0047] In this case, the top 201, as previously mentioned, has a snuglyfitting inner top 210 and a loosely fitting outer top 220.

[0048] As mentioned above, each top 210, 220 has a collar 211, 221respectively, and sleeves 212, 222, respectively, as well as a bust ortorso portion 213, 223, respectively.

[0049] As mentioned above, these two tops 210, 220 are independent ofone another, except in the area of the sleeves 212, 222 adapted to coverthe wearer's arms.

[0050] In this case, the sleeves 212, 222 are connected to one anotherby a connecting band 214 in the area of their lower portion, i.e.,located on the side of the bust 213, 223.

[0051] This connecting band 214 is preferably extended by a connectingportion 216 in the zone of the corresponding bust, i.e., in the armpitarea.

[0052] As in the case of the shorts or pants previously described, theseconnecting bands 214, 216 are located in a friction zone, and thepreviously mentioned problems related to wear and noise are avoided.

[0053] As mentioned above, removable connectors 230 can be providedbetween the two collars 211, 221. In the example shown, the collar 211is low, whereas the collar 221 is high. The collar 221 could also below, or the collar 221 could also be high.

[0054]FIGS. 5 and 6 show another example of application of the presentinvention to a top 300. In these figures, similar elements aredesignated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4, increased by100.

[0055] The main difference with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 4 liesin the fact that the connecting band 314 between the sleeves 312, 322respectively, extends over the upper portion of the sleeves 312, 322,respectively, and is extended on the collar by a connecting band 316.

[0056] A connection is thus obtained between the inner garment and theouter garment, not only in the area of the sleeves but also in the areaof each side of the collar.

[0057] In the example shown, the two collars 311, 321 are high; theycould also be lower, the connecting band 316 being more reduced in thiscase.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, in which similar or identicalelements are designated by the same reference numerals increased by 100,the elastic connecting band 414 extends in the back of the garment,preferably, but in a non-limiting manner, in a median zone of thelatter, thus connecting the portions 413, 423 covering the bust.

[0059] It is extended in the area of the collar by a connecting band 416that also connects the inner collar 411 and the outer collar 421.

[0060] As previously mentioned, the visual appearance of a loose garmentis nevertheless preserved, this appearance being particularly importantwhen seen from the front.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the particularembodiments described hereinabove and shown in the drawings by way ofnon-liming examples, but encompasses all of the embodiments that aresimilar or equivalent and/or aim at solving the same problems.

[0062] In particular, in all examples shown, the sleeves, legs, bust,collars, etc., of the garments shown can have various lengths.Similarly, the connecting bands can be made of an elastic or non-elasticmaterial, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of clothing comprising: an innerportion, adapted to fit snugly to a wearer, comprising at least oneconnecting band extending along at least one limb of a body of thewearer; an outer portion, adapted to fit more loosely to the wearer,positioned over the inner portion; the inner portion and the outerportion are assembled to one another by the connecting band extendingalong at least one limb.
 2. An article of clothing according to claim 1,wherein: the outer portion covers the inner portion completely.
 3. Anarticle of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the connecting bandis located in a friction zone of the article of clothing.
 4. An articleof clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the connecting band is madeof an elastic material.
 5. An article of clothing according to claim 3,wherein: the connecting band is made of an elastic material.
 6. Anarticle of clothing according to claim 3, wherein: the article ofclothing includes two legs and the friction zone is a crotch area ofeach of the two legs; the connecting band is located along the crotcharea of each of the two legs of the article of clothing.
 7. An articleof clothing according to claim 6, wherein: the article of clothing isshorts.
 8. An article of clothing according to claim 6, wherein: thearticle of clothing is pants, the two legs of the pants adapted toextend along substantially an entirety of respective legs of the wearer.9. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the article ofclothing at least partially covers an upper portion of the body of thewearer and comprises at least one sleeve and at least one torso portion;the connecting band extends along a medial surface of each sleeve. 10.An article of clothing according to claim 4, wherein: the article ofclothing at least partially covers an upper portion of the body of thewearer and comprises at least one sleeve and at least one torso portion;the connecting band extends along a medial surface of each sleeve. 11.An article of clothing according to claim 9, wherein; the torso portionof the article of clothing comprises a connecting band associated withthe sleeve in at least a zone of the torso portion adjacent the sleeve.12. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the article ofclothing at least partially covers an upper portion of the body of thewearer and comprises at least one sleeve; the connecting band extendsalong an outer surface of each sleeve.
 13. An article of clothingaccording to claim 4, wherein: the article of clothing at leastpartially covers an upper portion of the body of the wearer andcomprises at least one sleeve; the connecting band extends along anouter surface of each sleeve.
 14. An article of clothing according toclaim 1, wherein: the article of clothing comprises a substantiallytubular collar surrounding a neck of the wearer; the article of clothingfurther comprises an at least partially elastic snugly fitting innerportion, and a more loosely fitting outer portion at least partiallycovering the inner portion; the inner and outer portions of the collarare assembled to one another by a common connecting band extending alonga rear portion of the collar.
 15. An article of clothing according toclaim 4, wherein: the article of clothing comprises a substantiallytubular collar surrounding a neck of the wearer; the article of clothingfurther comprises an at least partially elastic snugly fitting innerportion, and a more loosely fitting outer portion at least partiallycovering the inner portion; the inner and outer portions of the collarare assembled to one another by a common connecting band extending alonga rear portion of the collar.
 16. An article of clothing according toclaim 12, wherein: the connecting band of the neck comprises anextension of the connecting band of the sleeve(s).
 17. An article ofclothing according to claim 14, wherein: the connecting band furtherextends at least in a median portion of the back.